Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drops big election hint amid speculation of clash with WA poll

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has seemingly let slip when the next Federal election might be as he plays down the prospect of forcing WA to shift its state vote.

Premier Roger Cook’s revelation at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters forum that he sought legal advice about shifting WA’s fixed election date ignited speculation Mr Albanese was plotting an early national poll.

Mr Albanese last week denied asking Mr Cook to shift the WA election but admitted the pair had spoken about the State election.

Asked directly on Sunday to rule out a March Federal election, Mr Albanese told Sky News the speculation was a “completely nothing story”.

“He (Mr Cook) has said that his election is on March 8,” Mr Albanese said.

“And I talked to state leaders sometimes about the dates in which they have elections set. It is as simple as that.”

The Prime Minister said there would be a Federal budget in March and the election “will be in May”, as is scheduled.

Mr Albanese quickly walked back the comment, saying “it could be beforehand”.

The prospect of WA being forced to shift its election date to accommodate Mr Albanese promoted a fierce backlash, with State Opposition leader Shane Love claiming it showed the Prime Minister “doesn’t give a stuff about Western Australia”.

As the election speculation rumbles on, Labor will this week roll out a new ad attacking Peter Dutton for opposing cost-of-living relief during this term.

The ad claims the average household would have been $7600 worse-off had Mr Dutton been in power.

The figure is based on data that shows the annual pre-tax pay for two average full-time workers is $7300 dollar higher than it would have been had wages grown at the rate of the previous Coalition Government.

“Peter Dutton as PM doesn’t add up for working people,” Employment Minister Murray Watt said.